California trade license requirements

Notes

General overview — verify exact requirements with the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) before scheduling exams.

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General Contractor

Class B General Building Contractor

Verified 5/26/2026

Required hours / experience

4 years journey-level experience

Exam

Law & Business + Trade exams (PSI)

Licensing authority

Notes

Class B is the most common GC license. Bond and workers' comp required.

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Roofing

C-39 Roofing Contractor

Verified 5/26/2026

Required hours / experience

4 years journey-level experience

Exam

Law & Business + C-39 Trade (PSI)

Licensing authority

Notes

Mandatory workers' comp policy required for all C-39 licensees.

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Low-Voltage

C-7 Low Voltage Systems Contractor

Verified 5/26/2026

Required hours / experience

4 years journey-level experience

Exam

Law & Business + C-7 Trade (PSI)

Licensing authority

Notes

Covers communication, sound, security, fire-alarm signaling under 91V.

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CA Structural Pest Control Board

Pest Control

Structural Pest Control Operator / Field Rep

Verified 5/26/2026

Required hours / experience

2 years (Branch 1) or 1 year (Branch 2/3)

Exam

Branch-specific exam (PSI)

Licensing authority

Notes

Branch 1 = fumigation; Branch 2 = general pest; Branch 3 = wood-destroying organisms.

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Landscaping

C-27 Landscaping Contractor

Verified 5/26/2026

Required hours / experience

4 years journey-level experience

Exam

Law & Business + C-27 Trade (PSI)

Licensing authority

Notes

C-27 required for any landscaping job $500+. Irrigation falls under C-27 or C-61/D-31.

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Electrical

C-10 Electrical Contractor License

Verified 5/26/2026

Required hours / experience

4 years (8,000 hours) journey-level experience within the last 10 years

Exam

Law & Business Exam + C-10 Trade Exam (PSI Services (on behalf of CSLB))

Licensing authority

Notes

Application fee: $450. Initial license fee: $200. Contractor bond: $25,000. Workers' comp required if employees. Trade exam covers NEC, wiring methods, motors, low-voltage. Reciprocity: CA does not have formal reciprocity with other states. Renewal every 2 years; no CE required for license renewal but certified electricians need 32 hrs CE every 3 years.

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Plumbing

C-36 Plumbing Contractor License

Verified 5/26/2026

Required hours / experience

4 years (8,000 hours) journey-level plumbing experience within the last 10 years

Exam

Law & Business Exam + C-36 Trade Exam (PSI Services)

Licensing authority

Notes

Application fee: $450. Initial license fee: $200. $25,000 contractor bond required. Trade exam covers UPC, fixtures, DWV, gas, medical gas. No state-level CE requirement for renewal. Renewal every 2 years ($450).

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HVAC

C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor License

Verified 5/26/2026

Required hours / experience

4 years (8,000 hours) journey-level HVAC experience within the last 10 years

Exam

Law & Business Exam + C-20 Trade Exam (PSI Services)

Licensing authority

Notes

Application fee: $450. EPA 608 certification required for refrigerant handling. C-38 (Refrigeration) is separate. Contractor bond $25,000. Renewal every 2 years. No state CE mandated. CA Title 24 compliance knowledge expected.

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HVAC 101 — Start Here (Free) • Self-paced + practice exam